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Álex Grimaldo

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In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Grimaldo and the second or maternal family name is García.
Álex Grimaldo
Grimaldo with Benfica in 2020
Personal information
Full name Alejandro Grimaldo García
Date of birth (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth Valencia, Spain
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Position(s) Left wing-back, left-back
Team information
Current team
 Bayer Leverkusen
Number 20
Youth career
Atlético Valbonense
2006–2008 Valencia
2008–2012 Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Barcelona B 92 (6)
2016–2023 Benfica 197 (19)
2023– Bayer Leverkusen 48 (11)
International career‡
2011 Spain U16 2 (0)
2011–2012 Spain U17 8 (1)
2012–2014 Spain U19 9 (0)
2013–2016 Spain U21 2 (0)
2023– Spain 10 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Championship
Winner 2024 Germany Team
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2012 Estonia Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:05, 21 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:56, 12 October 2024 (UTC)

Alejandro "Álex" Grimaldo García (born 20 September 1995) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a left wing-back for Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen and the Spain national team. He is known for his crossing, shooting, set-pieces and chance creation.

Club career

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Barcelona

[edit]
Grimaldo with Barcelona in 2012

Born in Valencia, Valencian Community, Grimaldo joined Barcelona's youth system in 2008. He made his official debut for the B-team on 4 September 2011, starting in a 4–0 away win against Cartagena at the age of 15 years and 349 days and becoming the youngest player ever to appear in a Segunda División game, before he was surpassed by Lamine Yamal in 2023.[2][3]

On 23 February 2013, Grimaldo suffered a serious knee injury, being ruled out for the remainder of the season.[4] He returned to action in January of the following year,[5] appearing in 14 matches to help his team finish in third position.

On 13 September 2014, Grimaldo scored his first professional goal, netting his side's last in a 3–2 success at Alavés.[6] In a campaign which saw the team relegated, he netted four times in 36 matches; he and Sergi Palencia were sent off on 25 April 2015, in a 2–1 win over Ponferradina at the Mini Estadi.[7]

Benfica

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On 29 December 2015, as his contract was about to expire,[8] Grimaldo signed with Portuguese champions Benfica until 2021, for €1.5 million. Barcelona has the right to a percentage of a future sale.[9]

Grimaldo played his first game with his new team on 26 January 2016, coming in as a 62nd-minute substitute for Sílvio in a 6–1 away routing of Moreirense for the Taça da Liga.[10] He debuted in the Primeira Liga on 29 February, featuring the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home win against União da Madeira;[11] he only appeared once more in the latter competition until the end of the season, filling in for suspended Eliseu[12] in a 4–1 victory over Nacional also at the Estádio da Luz that sealed the club's third consecutive national championship.[13] He remained in the team for the league cup final on 20 May, the 6–2 defeat of Marítimo at the Estádio Cidade de Coimbra.[14]

Grimaldo with Benfica in 2019

Grimaldo's first full season began on 7 August 2016, as he started in a 3–0 win against Braga for the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira in Aveiro, assisting Franco Cervi for the opening goal.[15] On 2 October he scored his first goal for the club, a free kick to conclude a 4–0 home triumph over Feirense;[16] on 28 May 2017, he played the full 90 minutes in the final of the Taça de Portugal, won after defeating Vitória de Guimarães 2–1.[17]

Grimaldo's maiden appearance in the UEFA Champions League took place on 13 September 2016, when he played the entire 1–1 group stage home draw to Beşiktaş.[18] His first goal in the competition came during the same stage but on 2 October 2018, in a 3–2 away win over AEK Athens;[19] he repeated the feat against the latter opponent on 12 December in the return fixture, his 30-meter free kick in the 88th minute helping to a 1–0 victory.[20]

Bayer Leverkusen

[edit]

On 21 May 2023, Grimaldo signed a four-year contract with German club Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.[21] On 12 August, he debuted in a DFB-Pokal match against FC Teutonia Ottensen.[22] On 15 September, he scored his first goal for the club, a direct free kick from the edge of the box away at Bayern Munich in a 2–2 draw.[23] He finished his first season at Leverkusen in 2023–24 as top assist provider in Bundesliga with 13 assists.[24]

International career

[edit]

Grimaldo won his first call-up for the Spain under-21 team on 5 February 2013 before he had turned 18, playing the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw in Belgium.[25]

On 10 November 2023, Grimaldo received his first call-up to the Spain senior national team, for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia.[26] Six days later, he made his debut as a starter against Cyprus, assisting Mikel Oyarzabal for Spain's second goal in a 3–1 away victory.[27]

In May 2024, he was named in the 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024.[28]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 21 December 2024[29][30]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barcelona B 2011–12 Segunda División 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2012–13 24 0 — — — — 24 0
2013–14 14 0 — — — — 14 0
2014–15 36 4 — — — — 36 4
2015–16 Segunda División B 17 2 — — — — 17 2
Total 92 6 — — — — 92 6
Benfica 2015–16 Primeira Liga 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2016–17 14 2 2 0 0 0 4[c] 0 1[d] 0 21 2
2017–18 28 1 3 0 1 0 4[c] 0 1[d] 0 37 1
2018–19 34 4 4 0 1 0 15[e] 3 — 54 7
2019–20 26 0 6 0 0 0 8[f] 0 1[d] 1 41 1
2020–21 31 2 4 0 0 0 7[g] 0 1[d] 0 43 2
2021–22 29 5 2 1 3 0 14[c] 0 — 48 6
2022–23 33 5 4 1 3 0 14[c] 2 — 54 8
Total 197 19 25 2 11 0 66 5 4 1 303 27
Bayer Leverkusen 2023–24 Bundesliga 33 10 6 0 — 12[h] 2 — 51 12
2024–25 15 1 3 0 — 6[c] 2 1[i] 0 25 3
Total 48 11 9 0 — 18 4 1 0 76 15
Career total 336 35 34 2 11 0 84 9 5 1 470 47
  1. ^ Includes Taça de Portugal and DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes Taça da Liga
  3. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ a b c d Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  5. ^ Ten appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  6. ^ Six appearances in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ One appearance in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Appearance in DFL-Supercup

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 November 2024[31]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2023 1 0
2024 9 0
Total 10 0

Honours

[edit]

Benfica

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Spain U19

Spain

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Grimaldo". S.L. Benfica. Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  2. ^ García, Gregorio (4 September 2011). "Vuelve el mejor Barça B con un festival goleador en Cartagonova" [The best Barça B return with a scoring festival in Cartagonova]. Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  3. ^ Gascón, Javier (5 September 2011). "Alejandro Grimaldo, la seducción de un lateral de 15 años" [Alejandro Grimaldo, the allure of a 15-year-old fullback]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Alejandro Grimaldo sufre una rotura del ligamento cruzado anterior y del ligamento lateral externo de la rodilla" [Alejandro Grimaldo suffers an anterior cruciate ligament and a lateral collateral injury] (in Spanish). FC Barcelona. 24 February 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Grimaldo vuelve ante el Mirandés... y Masip se queda fuera" [Grimaldo returns against Mirandés... and Masip stays out]. Sport (in Spanish). 18 January 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  6. ^ "El Barça B se lleva los tres puntos con susto final" [Barça B take the three points with a final scare]. Marca (in Spanish). 13 September 2014. Archived from the original on 16 June 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  7. ^ "Una genialidad de Munir da aire a un filial que acabó con nueve" [Genius from Munir gives air to a reserve team which finished with nine]. Marca (in Spanish). 25 April 2015. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
  8. ^ Nogueira, Carlos (18 December 2015). "Grimaldo ruma à Luz por um milhão de euros" [Grimaldo heads to Luz for one million euros]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  9. ^ ""Tenho muita ambição em crescer neste clube"" [I have a lot of ambition of growing in this club] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 29 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 January 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  10. ^ "Classe e magia no check-in para as "meias"" [Class and magic in "semis" check-in]. Benfica (in Portuguese). 26 January 2016. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  11. ^ "Quem tem um Jonas, tem tudo" [He who has a Jonas, has everything] (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Gaitán volta com Talisca e Grimaldo no onze" [Gaitán returns with Talisca and Grimaldo in XI]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). 14 May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Génio de Gaitán dá o 'tri' ao Benfica" [Gaitán genius gives "tri" to Benfica]. SAPO. pt. 15 May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Benfica continua a ser o rei da Taça da Liga" [Benfica are still League Cup kings] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  15. ^ "El Benfica campeón de la Supercopa gracias a Cervi y Pizzi" [Benfica are Supercup champions thanks to Cervi and Pizzi]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 8 August 2016. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  16. ^ "Benfica goleia o Feirense" [Benfica thrash Feirense]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  17. ^ "Oito minutos à Benfica garantiram a 11.ª dobradinha" [Eight Benfica-like minutes confirmed 11th double]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Talisca, o dispensado, roubou uma vitória que parecia certa" [Talisca, the surplus, robbed almost certain win]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). 13 September 2016. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  19. ^ Béu, Mariana (2 October 2018). "Benfica com triunfo sofrido sobre o AEK (3–2). Seferovic e Grimaldo marcaram, gregos empataram e Alfa Semedo resolveu – como aconteceu" [Benfica with hard-fought win over AEK (3–2). Seferovic and Grimaldo scored, Greek drew and Alfa Semedo decided it – how it happened]. Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  20. ^ Celso, Marcos (12 December 2018). "Benfica vence AEK de Atenas com grande golo de Grimaldo" [Benfica beat AEK Athens with great Grimaldo goal]. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  21. ^ "Bayer 04 sign Grimaldo from Benfica". BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN. 21 May 2023. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Leverkusen bezwingt Ottensen klar und deutlich" (in German). sportschau.de. 12 August 2023. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  23. ^ "FC Bayern München 2–2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen". Bundesliga. 15 September 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Bundesliga Stats 2023-2024". Bundesliga. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  25. ^ Villalobos, Fran (5 February 2013). "España invierte en su futuro" [Spain invest in their future]. Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Grimaldo convocado pela primeira vez para a seleção espanhola" [Grimaldo called-up for the first time for the Spanish national team] (in Portuguese). A Bola. 10 November 2023. Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Euro-2024 Espanha derrota Chipre com boa estreia de Grimaldo" [Euro 2024 Spain beats Cyprus with good debut by Grimaldo] (in Portuguese). A Bola. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  28. ^ UEFA.com. "Spain | Squad | UEFA EURO 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  29. ^ a b Álex Grimaldo at Soccerway Edit this at Wikidata
  30. ^ Álex Grimaldo at ForaDeJogo (archived). Retrieved 5 January 2017. Edit this at Wikidata
  31. ^ "Álex Grimaldo". EU-Football.info. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  32. ^ Kundert, Tom (27 May 2023). "Benfica crowned champions of Portugal". PortuGOAL. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  33. ^ "Depois do "tri", o "hepta". Benfica goleia e vence Taça da Liga" [After "tri", "hepta". Benfica rout and win League Cup] (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  34. ^ "Benfica vence V. Guimarães (3–1) e faz a festa em Aveiro" [Benfica defeat V. Guimarães (3–1) and get the party started in Aveiro]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  35. ^ "Benfica 5-0 Sporting CP". Soccerway. 4 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Bayer Leverkusen are 2023/24 Bundesliga champions!". Bundesliga. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  37. ^ "Bayer Leverkusen battle back to beat VfB Stuttgart on penalties in Supercup". Bundesliga. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  38. ^ "La sub´19, campeona de Europa" [The under-19s, European champions]. La Nueva España (in Spanish). 15 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  39. ^ "Spain 2-1 England | UEFA EURO 2024 Final". UEFA.com. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  40. ^ "Technical report" (PDF). UEFA. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 August 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  41. ^ "UEFA Europa League Squad of the 2018/19 Season". UEFA. 30 May 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  42. ^ "Vencedores dos Prémios Oficiais da Liga Portugal 2018-2019". Liga Portugal. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  43. ^ "11 do Ano fechado com avançado do SC Braga (fotogaleria) (Liga)". A Bola (in Portuguese). 25 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  44. ^ "Melhores de fevereiro: Bruno Fernandes e Adriano Castanheira em destaque". Liga Portugal. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  45. ^ "Grimaldo distinguido com o Prémio de Defesa do Mês da Liga Portugal bwin" [Grimaldo distinguished with Liga Portugal bwin' Defender of the Month Award]. Liga Portugal (in Portuguese). 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 2 December 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  46. ^ "Grimaldo wins February Defender of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin". Liga Portugal. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  47. ^ "Melhores de janeiro: João Félix e Pedro Henrique em destaque". Liga Portugal (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  48. ^ "Bundesliga Team of the Season 2023/24 by EA FC 24!". Bundesliga. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  49. ^ "Florian Wirtz ist VDV-Spieler der Saison" (in German). VDV. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  50. ^ "Bundesliga Player of the Month". Bundesliga. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  51. ^ Cite error: The named reference Athletic 2324 PotS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  52. ^ Evans, Jamie (10 June 2024). "ESM Team of the Season: 2023-24". World Soccer. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
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